The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2016 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on November 3, 2016, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Helping out a new neighbor puts a writer in a dangerous position.

Freelance writer Rona Parish is still recovering from a nasty experience she suffered while researching one of her trademark articles on old family businesses for Chiltern Life (Rogue in Porcelain, 2007). Rona and her artist husband Max, just returned from a glorious holiday in Greece, note that they have new neighbors in the rented house next door: an older couple recently returned from Canada and their sickly-looking daughter Louise. Rona plunges into an article on the Willow family and their furniture emporium and counsels her twin sister Lindsey, who’s juggling three boyfriends and struggling to keep on good terms with her divorcing parents. When the reclusive Louise meets Rona, she reveals she has lost her memory in a car crash. Her parents claim all their family pictures and letters were burnt in a house fire. But Louise is beginning to doubt that the couple are her parents. Taking time to make some inquiries, Rona finds that the names and stories Louise’s parents provide don’t seem to match. Her research attracts the attention of a mysterious stranger who leaves messages begging her to meet him. At length, Rona’s penchant for puzzle solving leads to her most dangerous adventure.

Once again, Fraser tracks an appealing family whose activities sometimes overshadow the mystery but are always entertaining.

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